Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Worker Protection Standard, Training sessions announced

ISDA to Host WPS Train-the-Trainer Sessions in Idaho

Boise--The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today the schedule for upcoming Worker Protection
Standard (WPS) Train-The-Trainer sessions throughout Idaho. The federal WPS rule went into effect on January 2, 2017,
and requires annual pesticide safety training for agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.
Annual training must be conducted by a qualified WPS trainer or a certified pesticide applicator. Trainer certification can
be achieved by attending a Train-The-Trainer session. The WPS only applies to those using pesticides for agricultural
plant production. This may include farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.
The Train-The-Trainer sessions are approximately six hours long and will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Pre-
registration is required. Registration may be requested by emailing the ISDA at wps@isda.idaho.gov. Emailed
registrations must include name, phone number, desired session, and the number of people attending the training. Seating
is limited.

For current certified applicators, this training is not required to conduct WPS pesticide safety training, but it may give a
better understanding of the new WPS. Currently qualified WPS trainers may continue conducting training through
December 31, 2017. However, after January 2, 2018, certification will become void unless a person attends a Train-the-
Trainer session or becomes a certified pesticide applicator.

Additional questions may be directed to Luis Urias at (208) 332-8663, Kevin Kostka at (208) 332-8608, or your nearest
ISDA field office.

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Jake Putnam grew up on a farm outside of Portneuf Gap, Idaho. Along the way he taught tennis, taught at a junior high school, worked on a newspaper, and spent 13 years as a broadcast reporter. While reporting he met kings, and movie stars, covered the Statehouse, flew in fighter jets and nearly got burned up in the great Yellowstone fire. He has an Emmy and two nominations to his credit. Putnam now writes for the Producer and Quarterly magazines, and the Farm Bureau News blog.